sump

noun

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\ ˈsəmp

Definition of sump

1 : a pit or reservoir serving as a drain or receptacle for liquids: such as

a : cesspool

b : a pit at the lowest point in a circulating or drainage system (such as the oil-circulating system of an internal combustion engine)

c chiefly British : oil pan

2 British : crankcase

3 [German Sumpf, literally, marsh, from Middle High German — more at swamp]

a : the lowest part of a mine shaft into which water drains

b : an excavation ahead of regular work in driving a mine tunnel or sinking a mine shaft

4 : something resembling a sump : sink sense 2

Example Sentences Phrases Containing sump Learn More About sump

Examples of sump in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Normally, a refrigerator's compressor pulls oil from a sump, or a low space where liquids pool due to gravity. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 14 June 2021 The gorgeous model features its original incline-6 engine with Bosch mechanical direct fuel injection and dry-sump lubrication. — Kyle Schnitzer, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2022 Mechanically, of course, the cars are identical, with a mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V-10 with dry-sump lubrication and an 8400-rpm redline; a six-speed manual transaxle; a twin-plate ceramic clutch; and rear-wheel drive. — Joe Lorio, Car and Driver, 19 Jan. 2022 The first level is a 1,700-gallon sump pit and pump that connects to a 7,300-gallon outdoor storage tank. — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2022 As with the platform, Maserati engineers took a clean-sheet approach when designing MC20’s power plant to create a dry sump engine that's wholly unique to the brand. — Bradley Iger, Ars Technica, 26 Jan. 2022 The program will target 11 neighborhoods that have faced backups during severe storms, beginning with Aviation Sub and Victoria Park where 530 households are expected to be serviced with new backwater valves and sump pumps. — Miriam Marini, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2022 And there’s plenty of front-end protection, with massive guards for the front of the engine and sump, as well as a disc guard and hand guards—all standard. — Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2021 The event led to the creation of the program to install backwater valves and sump pumps, and protect residential homeowners in 11 Detroit neighborhoods who have historically faced basement backups during large downpours. — Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 7 Feb. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sump.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.